When Daniel Suarez left Mexico in 2011 to chase his NASCAR dreams, he carried with him the hopes of a nation largely untapped by America’s premier motorsport series. Now, NASCAR prepares for its historic return to Mexican soil this June—its first points-paying race outside the United States since 1958. In the meantime, Mexico’s wealthiest business magnate has stepped forward to ensure this homecoming resonates far beyond the asphalt of Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. The partnership represents a full-circle moment in NASCAR’s decades-long effort to embrace international competition, dating back to the sport’s only previous international championship race at Canada’s Exhibition Stadium in 1958.

This landmark collaboration brings together Mexico’s most successful NASCAR driver in the sport’s history with the telecommunications empire built by one of the country’s richest businessmen. The significance extends beyond mere sponsorship—it represents a cultural bridge being constructed between NASCAR’s traditional American roots and its growing international ambitions, particularly as the sport makes its triumphant return to Mexico after the Xfinity Series races held there from 2005-2008.

Historic Partnership Brings Mexican Pride to NASCAR

At a press conference in Mexico City on Tuesday, Trackhouse Racing unveiled the striking No. 99 Telcel-Infinitum Chevrolet that Daniel Suarez will pilot in June at the 2.674-mile road course situated 7,342 feet above sea level. The iconic Mexican telecommunications brands, part of the business empire of Mexico’s wealthiest individual, will be prominently featured on Suarez’s car for the inaugural Cup Series race in Mexico City.

“This, to me, is a dream come true,” Suarez declared with evident emotion during the unveiling. “Being born and raised in Mexico is very special to me. I have dreamed about racing in my home country every day since I left Mexico to chase my NASCAR dream in 2011. This race will be the highlight of my racing career.”

For Daniel Suarez, whose journey has included becoming the first Mexican-born NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion in 2016 and claiming Cup Series victories at Sonoma in 2022 and Atlanta in 2024, this partnership represents more than sponsorship dollars—it symbolizes national recognition at the highest level. The backing of Mexico’s most powerful business interests validates the importance of the event beyond the sporting realm, potentially establishing long-term economic connections between NASCAR and the Mexican market.

“Mexico has been loving motorsports for a very long time, and I feel like, slowly, that has also changed into NASCAR,” explained Suarez. “NASCAR is a very important sport for Mexico, and it continues to grow with the NASCAR Mexico Series and now the Cup Series going there. It’s going to be a big deal.” This sponsorship follows a tradition of momentous cultural crossovers in racing history, reminiscent of when STP’s Andy Granatelli backed Richard Petty in the 1970s, forever changing NASCAR’s sponsorship landscape. The involvement of Mexico’s wealthiest business leader, Mr. Carlos Slim Helú, in NASCAR creates a potential watershed moment for Latino representation in American motorsports.

The impact extends beyond a single race. Trackhouse Racing, co-owned by international music star Pitbull, has explicitly embraced a mission of global outreach and diversity in NASCAR. This Mexican partnership aligns perfectly with that vision, potentially serving as a template for future international expansion of the sport. As Suarez himself noted, “I hope this event creates a lot of NASCAR fans in Mexico. We want to make this event permanent on the NASCAR calendar for many years.”

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Suarez’s Journey Through Challenge and Triumph

The path to June’s historic race hasn’t been without its challenges for Suarez. Just this week at Bristol Motor Speedway, the NASCAR driver experienced a heart-stopping moment when a loose tire from John Hunter Nemechek’s pit stop cascaded across the pit road, narrowly missing Suarez’s car and his crew members. “After a race like today’s, this video puts everything into perspective! So glad none of my guys got hurt by that tire, especially Seth and Milan,” Suarez shared on social media following the incident, demonstrating the ever-present dangers that NASCAR competitors face regardless of nationality or sponsorship backing.

Such moments of peril contrast sharply with the triumphant narrative of Suarez’s racing career, which includes his breakthrough win at Sonoma in 2022 and more recently at Atlanta in 2024. These victories have cemented his position as not just a pioneering figure for Mexican motorsport but as a legitimate championship contender in America’s premier racing series. His success on the track has made him an ideal ambassador for NASCAR’s international ambitions, particularly as the series prepares for its historic Mexico City race with the backing of his country’s most influential business leader.

While Trackhouse Racing, co-owned by international music star Pitbull, has been described as part of a revolution sweeping through NASCAR with its global vision, the NASCAR driver himself represents the human element of this transformation. From chasing his “NASCAR dream” after leaving Mexico in 2011 to now returning as a race winner with national backing, his journey embodies the very cultural bridge this partnership aims to build. As preparations continue for the June 15th event at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, the Mexican NASCAR driver remains focused on delivering a performance worthy of the momentous occasion, one that could further solidify NASCAR’s foothold in Mexico for generations to come.